Man charged in burglary, admits to two others

An anonymous tip given to a Washington police detective led to the arrest of a Washington man suspected in three business burglaries last week.

Thomas Currie, 38, of 307 Lincoln Terrace, was arrested Friday morning on one count of burglary for the Feb. 8 break-in at Shorty’s Lunch, 34 W. Chestnut St. City police Detective Dan Rush said Friday that Currie also admitted to burglarizing Krency’s, 990 Jefferson Ave., and Triple T Tavern, 30 Oregon St., also in the early morning hours of Feb. 8.

“We put together a photo array and showed it to show Waste Management workers who had seen him,” Rush said. “They were quickly able to pick out his photo.”

Rush got a warrant for Currie’s arrest from District Judge Robert Redlinger. Currie was taken into custody at an auto repair shop after Rush spotted his vehicle parked near the business.

Currie is suspected of forcing his way into Krency’s bakery and restaurant. Police were alerted when an alarm went off about midnight. When they arrived, they found the door had been forced open. A cash register that was removed from the business was found in a Dumpster behind a nearby business.

Police were called about 3:50 a.m. to the tavern after receiving a report of an alarm sounding. Police found the door forced open. A safe stolen from the business was found in a creek behind the building. Liquor also was stolen.

About 4:45 a.m., refuse workers saw the man they later identified as Currie leaving Shorty’s. City police chased the suspect for several blocks before losing him near Washington Christian Outreach, Ridge Avenue. The outreach is a short distance from Currie’s home. Candy money was stolen from Shorty’s.

North Franklin police Officer Dean Urbanic said Currie is being looked at as a suspect in the burglary of BJ’s Car Wash, 1880 W. Chestnut St., on Feb. 9. The burglar used a makeshift ladder to climb onto the roof and forcibly enter the building.

Currie was arraigned before Redlinger on one count of burglary and placed in Washington County Jail on $50,000 bond. Rush said the complaint will be amended later to include the burglaries at Krency’s and Triple T Tavern. A preliminary hearing is slated for Feb. 27 before Redlinger.

Kathie Warco

Staff Writer

Kathie O. Warco has covered the police beat and transportation for the Observer-Reporter for more than 25 years. She graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in journalism.